Conifer
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
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Conifers are cone-bearing seed plants, which are the largest and most economically important group gymnosperms (naked-seed plants). Rather than producing seeds inside an embryo (like the angiosperms), conifers form theirs in cones (a protective covering around a seed). They were assigned to the taxonomic division Coniferophyta, although some taxonomic systems place them in Pinophyta. The taxa has only one Class and one Order living today, Pinopsida and Pinales.
The conifers, along with all other land plants, were created on the third day of creation. Most are large trees while a few are shrubs and other small plants. Most of them have bark with softwood which protects the tree. They have a large economic use because of their softwood as well as hardwoods which are much more pleasing to many and used in furniture.
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Anatomy
The plants in the taxonomic division coniferophyta are all conifers, meaning they bear cones. Most of the plants in this division are large trees like the Coast Redwood which grow near to, or over 100 meters. The smaller plants may be as little as one meter. Most branches come from a main trunk or stem. The leaves of conifers are either needle-like or flat and triangular. They have lots of vascular tissue for transmitting water, nutrients, and sugar.
Reproduction
The name conifer comes from cone, which are reproductive organs that either bare pollen or seed. The pollen, which is the male reproductive part, is carried by the wind from one cone to a seed cone, which is the female reproductive part. They may be on the same tree. The pollen fertilizes the ovum which then becomes a seed. The seeds fall from the cone when they are mature. Some cones disintegrate and leave the seeds to grow. Some seeds wait until the plant burns up in a fire, leaving them. Some conifers produce pine nuts or fleshy scales to cover the seeds. As with other plants their seeds are dispersed by birds, or small mammals.
Ecology
Most of the member of Coniferophyta live together over large areas in boreal forests near cool climates.
Uses
They is very important for our economy because of their softwood, which is used for paper and timber, and many people use cedar for their homes. The Bible records that the Cedar of Lebanon was used for temples or other extravagant structures. Some conifers excrete a resin, which is used for varnishes and adhesives, to protect itself from insects and fungal infections. Conifers are evergreens.
Gallery
 Japanese red pine |
 Norfolk Island pine |
 Slender Cypress-pine |
 Podocarpus |
 Yew tree |
 English yew |
 Harrington's cephalotaxus |
 male cone |
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Related References
- Pinophyta Wikipedia
- Pinophyta Wiki Books
- Pinophyta Reference.com
- Pinkston, William. Biology for Christian Schools. Second edition. Bob Jones University Press, Greenwille, South Carolina. 1994
See Also
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